17mm sump plug socket -

[Nobbles]

I have a 17mm sump bolt that I cannot get off with my socket. The thickness of the bolt that the socket gets hold of is half the width of a typical bolt. Also there is not the space around the sides of the bolt for my socket. Are there special sockets for these?

[andyiley]

Try one of those low profile fixed un-ratcheting sockets.

I think they are called spanners.

[Nobbles]

There is not enough open area to get a spanner around the bolt. The socket goes over but the thickness stops it seating correctly on the bolt.

[benters]

could you use the head of a bolt to fit into the sump plug and with a nut on the thread of that bolt get better purchase for use with a regular socket ?
make sense ?

[freddytin]

Are you sure there is not a square or hexagonal drive within ?

If not, stay away from bi hexagonal sockets and opt for surface drive or impact style hexagonal instead .

[paintman]

^^^^^
If there is then use a sump key in that.
Very common on various plugs incl gearboxes & diffs.

[Crafty_]

6 sided socket may help?

[Mr2Mike]

I'd grab an old six sided socket (I have a bucket of random sockets picked up at a car boot sale for these occasions) and grind off the tapered "lead in". This will give you a little more depth to grip the sump plug with.

[Nobbles]

[scarble]

That is an awkward one!
I can imagine an open spanner won't go on that but won't a ring spanner go, as they're skinnier? The idea of grinding a socket down is a good one, most if not all have a slight taper to them and that bolt is too shallow to reach past the taper.
Or you could grind down a spanner to make it thinner
It'll probably be useless after that but if it gets the bolt out..

Edited by scarble on Tuesday 23 September 09:09

[benters]

see your problem Nobbles. . . . I had convinced myself it was a sump plug hence my post, I will read more closely in the future. I think the thinning out a socket is likely to be the best way forward from what I can see. Good luck with it.

[andyiley]

Maybe the pic is not truly representative, but that doesn't look too tight.

Have you simply tried a 3/8 drive socket as they are also slimmer than 1/2 drive equivalents.

[Nobbles]

I will get it on the ramps again and grind down a socket.

[aka_kerrly]

what type of engine is that? That sump is a bloody awful design.

[Nobbles]

Its a fiat panda - 100hp - but according to the fiat forums the sump plug should be the hex key type. The sump is aluminium and recommended not to over-tighten. These two facts and the problems I am having are starting to 'smell'.

[Mr2Mike]

Nobbles said:

Its a fiat panda - 100hp - but according to the fiat forums the sump plug should be the hex key type. The sump is aluminium and recommended not to over-tighten. These two facts and the problems I am having are starting to 'smell'.

Almost certainly a replacement plug with a larger diameter thread.

[Collectingbrass]

Why do you want to get it out?

If it's for an oil change I'd use one of these (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-Manual-Vacuum-Fluid-Extractor/dp/B000RA16CO/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1411505397&sr=1-1&keywords=oil+extractor) and leave the plug well alone, it looks dry enough.

[B'stard Child]

Mr2Mike said:

Nobbles said:

Its a fiat panda - 100hp - but according to the fiat forums the sump plug should be the hex key type. The sump is aluminium and recommended not to over-tighten. These two facts and the problems I am having are starting to 'smell'.

Almost certainly a replacement plug with a larger diameter thread.

I'd be nervous removing that, had experience of over sized sump plugs in one case it was glued in with araldite, oil change turned into sump replacement which meant new gasket and doing it in situe on a RWD car with a cross member stopping the sump from being easily removed turned the job into a pita.

those suction pump things are brilliant, I have a car with a very heavy sump guard that needs two people to locate and refit, so now I only drain from the plug every other year, I am seriously surprised at just how little oil is left in the sump after using an oil extraction tool. Less than an egg cup full.

[Nobbles]

I like the idea of the suction thing. I am nervous over using it over traditional methods. Does it work on all engines? It probably is around the same price as a new sump.

[wolf1]

Most sockets have a small chamfer at their tip which is probably why you are having problems. Sand the tip off the socket so there is no chamfer and also round the socket body and it should fit.